The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered review – Reigniting adventure the right way

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Ever since its release, Oblivion has been one of those games I’ve always meant to play, but other things always seemed more pressing. Skyrim is one of my all-time favorite games, and I’ve often found myself installing numerous mods to enhance its graphics for another playthrough instead. Fortunately, with the Oblivion Remastered version, I don’t need to spend time installing multiple mods to make it visually appealing, as Bethesda has already incorporated a significant one that takes care of that: it’s called Unreal Engine 5.

If you’ve noticed any contrasting images, you’ll understand that this remaster represents a massive leap forward visually. Over nearly two decades, technology has progressed significantly, and every corner of Cryodill now looks stunning due to the revamped character models aligning with the updated design.

In the realm of gaming, I’ve always been captivated by the vibrant, almost dreamlike quality of Oblivion. The oversaturated greens of Cryodill’s verdant hills and the brilliant blue sky gave the game an enchanting fairy tale feel. Although the new lighting system adds a beautiful touch, it seems to have muted that magical vibe a bit. Yet, the fiery, desolate landscapes of Oblivion itself are more stunning than ever. The first time I set foot in one of those towers and beheld the relentless, hellish energy spire assaulting the sky, I found myself momentarily speechless, awestruck by its brutal majesty before moving on to explore further.

After dedicating 14 years to Skyrim, stepping into a different game feels quite intriguing. Over the years, I’ve listened to many discussions about how Skyrim simplified some mechanics from Oblivion to attract a broader audience. Now, I can understand what they meant by that.

In this captivating game I’m playing, the speechcraft system truly brings the storyline to life, making quests a thrilling adventure rather than just another task on my list. Even with Charm spells offering an easy escape, I find myself drawn in by the intrigue and depth it adds to character interactions.

Similarly, enchanting and spellmaking mechanics are surprisingly user-friendly yet provide ample opportunities for customizing my character’s abilities. It feels like crafting my own magical arsenal!

As for magical abilities, I find the method used by Oblivion more appealing when playing as a mage, since it lets you use other weapons in addition to your spells, unlike Skyrim where employing such strategy seems less viable or enjoyable due to taking up a hand slot. To my surprise, in Oblivion, Spellsword has been my main build and I’ve really enjoyed the experience.

As a fan, I must admit that this remaster brings into sharp relief the evolution of dungeon design since the original game. Most caves in here are essentially interconnected, unremarkable chambers filled with various types of enemies, offering little more than repetitive rooms to clear and loot. In contrast, Skyrim’s dungeons, though less engaging in terms of overall quest design, have a unique charm because every random dungeon comes with its own story, however minimal. These tales, even if they’re just a few notes about the bandits’ dislike for their boss or similar, keep me from aimlessly wandering the world in Oblivion. Instead, I find myself more inclined to wait for an NPC quest in town before setting out on what feels like a potentially adventurous journey.

In essence, despite a few drawbacks, the game excels in its quest design, particularly in the intricate guild questlines. The Dark Brotherhood questline in Oblivion, for instance, has been highly praised as entertaining, and I must concur – it ranks among the most thrilling assassination missions I’ve encountered outside of Hitman. This immersive gameplay adds to the vivid world that Bethesda once mastered, and I eagerly anticipate how a remaster might help them recapture that essence as The Elder Scrolls 6 approaches.

Outside its original context, Oblivion Remastered stands as one of the finest remakes currently available. In a time when Sony is persistently revamping freshly released games, experiencing a title nearly two decades old being updated for contemporary standards is a delight that has rekindled interest among fans who had grown distant after Starfield. If Bethesda seeks to cash in further, then prioritizing remakes of Fallout New Vegas and Morrowind should be high on their priority list.

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2025-05-02 17:16